MHA Removes List of NGOs Whose FCRA Licenses Were Cancelled From Website

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has updated its Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA) website and in the process removed some crucial information – including the list of NGOs whose licenses have been cancelled and the annual returns of NGOs.

According to the Indian Express, while the ministry has not officially explained the decision, officials said it was done because the data was considered “unnecessary” for public viewing.

The earlier version of the FCRA website provided lists of NGOs that had FCRA licenses, NGOs granted prior permission for receiving  foreign contribution, NGOs whose licences have been cancelled, NGOs whose licences have expired and the annual returns of NGOs. Now, while the overall data on all the categories is still there, the lists have been removed.

The annual returns of NGOs can no longer be viewed. Data on quarterly accounts of foreign contributions received by NGOs has also been removed.

“Whatever data was deemed not useful or unnecessary has been removed. The overall data on the number of NGOs that have lost licence and the number of NGOs which have filed annual returns has been maintained as it is,” an MHA official told Indian Express.

On July 1, the MHA had notified a series of changes in the FCRA rules to "lessen the compliance burden on NGOs”. This including deleting a clause that stated “A person receiving foreign contribution in a quarter of the financial year shall place details of foreign contribution received on its official website or on a website as specified by the Central government within 15 days following the last day of the quarter in which it has been received clearly indicating details of donors, amount received and date of receipt.”

Over the last few years, several NGOs have alleged that the Union government is using the FCRA law to go after NGOs it does not agree with and cut off their funding sources.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.